The 15 best dog-friendly beaches in Cornwall

With wide open skies and sandy beaches that stretch for days, the stunning county of Cornwall offers the perfect, year-round getaway for you and your pooch.

And with over 300 beaches across Cornwall and 250 miles of coastline, it comes as no surprise that the region offers an abundance of dog-friendly beach options for you and your pup to explore, come rain or shine.

From the uber-accessible to the more remote, free-spirited finds, our handpicked selection showcases some of the very best dog-friendly beaches Cornwall has to offer. And, at the time of writing, said beaches have zero doggie restrictions, meaning that your pup(s) can frolic at leisure all year round. 

If you are looking for the ultimate doggie getaway, check out our top dog-friendly pubs and restaurants in Cornwall guide as well as our comprehensive dog-friendly guide to Cornwall.

Skip to:

• Dog-friendly beaches in North Cornwall
• Dog-friendly beaches in South Cornwall
• Dog-friendly beaches in West Cornwall
• Dog-friendly Cornwall beaches map

Dog-friendly beaches in North Cornwall

Fistral Beach, Newquay

Surf’s up! This 750-metre-long, flat sandy beach is celebrated worldwide by the surfing community and hosts the annual ‘Boardmasters’ week-long festival. What’s more, nearby restaurants also have no restrictions on dogs and there are pay-as-you-go WCs. There’s a small car park at the beach with other parking options close by, along both Tower Road and Esplanade Road.   

Harlyn Bay Beach

On the eastern side of Trevose Head, west of Padstow, this sheltered, village beach offers a bit of everything: sand, pebbles, rock pools, and dunes. Head there for low tide and heaps of space for zoomies! Parking is readily available at Harlyn Bay Car Park. 

Port Isaac Beach

Does the name ‘Portwenn’ sound familiar? You may recognise this pretty, traditional fishing village with its sandy coved beach from the popular Doc Martin series. There are a few car spots at the beach but during busy season, you may be best off parking at the village car park, a half-mile walk away. As the beach is nestled in the heart of things, there are plenty of shops and eateries to be found amongst the village’s cobbled streets.

Rock Beach

This beauty spot is a hit with the yachting community. The calm and sandy stretch of beach lies in the village of Rock, a stone’s throw over the Camel Estuary from Padstow (famed for its Rick Stein seafood offerings amongst other things). Parking is available at the beach and there’s a good selection of eateries and bars. The beach joins onto Daymer Bay, should you need more space for all those laps. Your pup may even enjoy a jaunt on the ferry over to Padstow.

Sandymouth Bay Beach, near Bude

Photo credit: Visit Cornwall

Beautiful Bude’s three main sandy beaches are fantastic for dogs, though come with some seasonal restrictions. However, the dramatic and less busy Sandymouth Bay is a mere 5.5-mile drive from Bude and dogs are welcome here whenever! There’s a National Trust car park, WCs, and a café (check opening times), and you may even glimpse the shipwreck... 

Dog-friendly beaches in South Cornwall

Hemmick Beach

Photo credit: Visit Cornwall/ Matt Jessop

Only 9 miles from St Austell on the Roseland Peninsula, this south-west-facing sand beach is set at the bottom of a steep lane. As the National Trust parking is about a 1-mile walk away across fields, this beach tends to stay pretty quiet even during the summertime rush. Thus, as you would expect, there are no facilities - so be sure to bring your own snacks! 

Lantic Bay

This National Trust jewel in Cornwall’s south-east, oozes a cool, Mediterranean vibe. It’s tricky to access owing to its remote location – prepare to park a mile east of Polruan and then set off for just over a mile's walk along the footpath, before hitting the steep climb down to the cove. But once there, you’ll find a sandy oasis with a scattering of shingle and aquamarine seas with vistas to Pencarrow Head. Yes, you’ll need to bring your own supplies.

Par Beach

Photo credit: Fowey.co.uk

Doggy paddles galore and basic facilities on tap – this dune-filled sandy beach stretches for a half mile, allowing plenty of space for playing fetch! Parking, a café, shops, and the like are close to hand, making this dog-friendly beach in Cornwall, a super-accessible playground.

Seaton Beach

Photo credit: Visit Cornwall/ Adam Gibbard

To the east of Looe and 18 miles from Plymouth, this pebble and shingle beach has all the facilities needed for a doggy day out. There are rock pools and a river to splash about in; swimming is generally safe and the beach is fairly sheltered by the cliffs. There are car parks just behind the beach as well as a children’s park and nature trail. 

Whitsand Bay

Photo credit: Visit Cornwall/ Adam Gibbard

This westerly-facing beach popular with surfers, offers amazing views from Rame Head and offers 3 miles of sand and a scattering of rock pools. It's probably best to leave the car at the car park near Tregantle Fort above the beach (red flags will be on display if the military are using it as a firing range), and then take the steep walk down. The beach is super clean and the perfect sunset spot. For info, there is a café with customer WCs, but no public WC.

Dog-friendly beaches in West Cornwall

Bamaluz Beach, St Ives

There’s no denying St Ives is a tourist hot spot and if you’re staying in the area, it’s useful to know where to find dog-friendly beaches in Cornwall, because St Ives’ main beaches are out of action for dogs during high season. However, this little gem – dubbed locally as the ‘dog’s beach’ is hidden away but easily accessible for you and your pooch, with boulders and rock pools to explore. There are a set of steep steps down onto the beach but the closest car park is less than half a mile away.

Loe Bar Beach

If you’re looking for dog-friendly Cornwall beaches with a difference, this wildcard option comprises a half-mile-wide shingle beach, separating the sea from the Loe - the county’s biggest freshwater lake. The strong currents here mean that swimming’s not advisable but there are WCs and a nearby car park, which makes this location easily accessible for walkies.

Mexico Towans

Towans means dunes in Cornwall and 2 miles or so north of Hayle, this roomy dog-friendly beach also known as possibly, the more apt ‘Sandy Acres’, sits in the middle of a 4-mile stretch of sand. Though dog-friendly all year round, the adjoining beaches are not. If you’re feeling peckish, there’s a handy little café by the car park.

Porthkidney Sands, near Lelant

At the mouth of the Hayle Estuary, this mile-long, north-facing beach, a few miles from St Ives, is dog heaven. But fear not, its size means there is room enough for all. The river’s current is strong, so best to avoid letting your pup swim here. The beach runs alongside a golf course and there’s on-street parking by Lelant Church. This beach offers no facilities other than the luxury of peace and quiet, so pack a picnic. Check for incoming tides when walking around the shoreline and if needed, cut up through the dunes onto the coastal path. 

Gwenver Beach

Photo credit: ExploreCornwall.uk

Close to Penzance, legend claims this unspoilt beach is named after King Arthur’s wife, Guinevere. The beach has no facilities, which adds to its natural charm. At about 150 metres long, it’s not the biggest beach in Cornwall but in fine weather, you’ll see over to the Isles of Scilly and Brisons Rocks, a mile off the coast. With a car park at the top and a steep, mile's meander down – an end-of-day BBQ, sounds just the tonic.

Dog-friendly Cornwall beaches map

Book a dog-friendly holiday in Cornwall

Our dog-friendly Cornwall beaches map pinpoints the locations of our featured finds, and if you’re feeling inspired to think about your next Cornish seaside break with your pup, we have plenty of cosy and comfortable, dog-friendly cottages for you to settle into after burning off energy at one of the many dog-friendly beaches in Cornwall.